Lamar hires new O-line coach, sets spring practice dates

– Lamar has a new offensive line coach. Dennis McKnight played 11 NFL seasons and comes to Lamar from SMU, where he served as offensive line coach for the last three seasons. McKnight and Woodard were teammates with the San Diego Chargers in the 1980s. McKnight will also coach special teams.

– Spring practices start March 19, after spring break, and will be closed to the public. The team will hold two Saturday scrimmages, and those will be open for public viewing. The spring game tentatively set for Tuesday, April 17.

– Billy Dawson, Jordan Nixon and Kevin Davis will not return to the football team, Woodard said. Dawson and Nixon left for personal reasons, Woodard said. Davis will stay at Lamar to graduate but has opted to not play because of injuries.

– And here’s one signing day note: Hargrave Military Academy defensive end Darryl Waters was the final player to sign with Lamar today. Waters had not turned in his paperwork in time for today’s afternoon press conference.

I’ll have more news on the blog and at BeaumontEnterprise.com later tonight.